THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 28 CAROLINA PANTHERS 10
Despite both teams entering the game with losing records (Saints 3-4, Panthers 3-4-1), the winner would claim the top spot in the NFC South. As the Saints continue to look more and more like the team most expected heading into the 2014 season, the Panthers look nothing like the 2013 team that won the division and clinched a first round bye in the postseason. Carolina quarterback, Cam Newton, played possibly the worst game of his career last Thursday night, completing just 10 of 28 passes for 151 yards. On the flip-side, New Orleans quarterback, Drew Brees, threw for 297 yards, but the biggest factor to the Saints victory was the play of running back, Mark Ingram. The former Heisman Trophy winner ran for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns, giving him 272 yards and 3 touchdowns over the last 2 games.
SUNDAY FOOTBALL GAMES
ARIZONA CARDINALS 28 DALLAS COWBOYS 17
With the news that Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo, was not going to play because of a back injury sustained in the previous game, Dallas knew they would need to rely on running back, DeMarco Murray, in order to defeat the Cardinals. Unfortunately for Dallas, Murray was held in check for much of the game, finishing with just 79 yards on 19 carries. It was the first time this season that Murray did not eclipse the century mark and as a result, the Cowboys lost their second straight game. As for the Cardinals, they continue to be the surprise team of 2014. Arizona quarterback, Carson Palmer, threw for 249 yards and 3 touchdowns to help lead the Cardinals to their 7th victory in 8 games. Could the Cardinals become the first team ever to play in the Super Bowl at their own stadium?
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 31 HOUSTON TEXANS 21
The Philadelphia Eagles are extremely lucky to have Mark Sanchez as their back-up quarterback. I never thought I'd write that sentence. During the first quarter of the Eagles game against the Texans, Philly quarterback, Nick Foles, landed hard on his left shoulder, resulting in a broken clavicle. That's when Mark Sanchez, the much maligned quarterback, took the field in a regular season game for the first time since December 30, 2012. While Sanchez wasn't perfect, he did throw 2 picks, he did enough to keep the Houston defense honest. Eagles running back, LeSean McCoy, chipped in with 117 yards rushing, giving him 2 100+ yard performances in the last 3 games. If Philadelphia can keep running the football like they have in recent weeks, it'll take the pressure off Sanchez to win the game himself.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 0 MIAMI DOLPHINS 37
What in the world has happened to the San Diego Chargers? After starting the season 5-1, San Diego has lost 3 in a row, with Sunday's shutout loss to Miami being the most humiliating. As they head into their bye week, San Diego better find a way to recharge or any hopes of making the playoffs will be defused rather quickly. Miami on the other hand is quietly becoming a legit contender in the AFC. Including Sunday's win, the Dolphins have won 3 straight games and remain just one game behind the Patriots for the lead in the AFC East.
DENVER BRONCOS 21 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 43
Speaking of the Patriots, Tom Brady and the New England offense completely trampled over a Denver defense that came into the game among the best in the league. Brady finished with 333 yards and 4 touchdowns as New England captured their 5th straight victory. Meanwhile, Broncos quarterback, Peyton Manning, had a decent day statistically, 438 yards and 2 touchdowns, but the Denver running game was completely shut down, accumulating just 43 yards on 17 carries. The good news for Manning and company is that a year ago the Broncos lost to the Patriots in Foxboro and still went on to reach the Super Bowl.
BALTIMORE RAVENS 23 PITTSBURGH STEELERS 43
Aside from the Broncos/Patriots game, the marquee match-up of Week 9 was the Baltimore Ravens traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in a clash of AFC North rivals. Coming off a tough loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens were trying to avoid not just their second straight defeat, but also their third loss in the division. As for the Steelers, they were looking to continue their momentum on offense and at the same time avenge their Week 2 loss to these Ravens. The game got off to a sluggish start, especially for Pittsburgh. Trailing 7-0 in the second quarter, the Pittsburgh defense forced a Baltimore fumble that seemed to awaken quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, and the entire Steelers offense. By the time the game reached halftime, Baltimore's 7-0 lead had turned into a 22-10 deficit. In the second half, Roethlisberger continued to find holes in the Ravens defense and when it was all said and done, Pittsburgh secured their 3rd victory in a row. In addition to their win, Big Ben became the first quarterback in the history of the NFL to throw 6 touchdowns in consecutive games.
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 40 NY GIANTS 24
There has been a debate in recent weeks about what player would you pick if you were starting an NFL team. A majority of people said they would select Colts quarterback, Andrew Luck. After watching Luck's performance against the Giants on Monday night, it's not hard to understand why he would be many people's choice. Luck finished the game with 354 yards passing, his 8th game throwing for 300+ yards this season, and 4 touchdowns. While what Andrew Luck is doing is impressive, let's not forget that the combined records of the 6 teams the Colts have beaten is 20-30 while the 3 teams they have lost to are 18-7. Now, the Giants would be happy to beat anyone at this point. After starting the season 0-2, the Giants won their next 3 games only to turn around and drop their next 3 contests. While we've heard the "Fire Tom Coughlin" chants before, I think if the Giants fail to make the playoffs for the third year in a row, those chants will become reality.
That does it for Week 9. Until next week....
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